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Ach'uk (Ruthalk)

Primordial Entity • Warlock Patron • Ancient Evil

Overview​

Ach'uk (known as Ruthalk in Dwarvish) is an ancient primordial entity associated with dark, melancholic music and supernatural influence. As Helisanna Doomfall's warlock patron, Ach'uk made a pact that eventually consumed her, leading to the separation that created Liliana Goldspring.

Nature and Origin​

Primordial Entity​

  • Ancient Being: Pre-dates current civilizations
  • Cosmic Power: Operates on scales beyond mortal comprehension
  • Musical Association: Connected to dark, melancholic music
  • Reality Manipulation: Can split souls and alter consciousness

Names and Titles​

  • Ach'uk: Primary name
  • Ruthalk: Dwarvish translation/name
  • Associated with: Dark music, melancholy, supernatural performances
  • Legendary Status: Ancient legends describe influence

The Warlock Pact​

Original Agreement​

When Helisanna Made the Pact:

  • Helisanna sought power and fame
  • Ach'uk offered warlock abilities
  • Cost: Original personality (Liliana) locked away
  • Result: Dark, cynical Helisanna emerged

Terms and Consequences​

What Helisanna Gained:

  • Eldritch blast and warlock powers
  • Enhanced musical abilities
  • Supernatural influence over audiences
  • Fame and recognition

What She Lost:

  • Original optimistic personality (Liliana)
  • Innocence and light
  • Free will (ultimately)
  • Her own soul/identity

The Imprisonment of Liliana​

Liliana's Fate:

  • Locked in "prison" within Helisanna's consciousness
  • Refused to accept the pact herself
  • Witnessed everything through Helisanna's eyes
  • Powerless to act or intervene for years
  • Pure, optimistic nature preserved in stasis

Powers and Influence​

Musical Magic​

Supernatural Performances:

  • Audiences' eyes glow purple during Helisanna's shows
  • Compulsion effects on listeners
  • Creation of "ravers" with purple eyes
  • Mind control through music and performance

The Ravers​

Ach'uk's Army:

  • Thousands of teenagers with purple eyes
  • Under supernatural influence
  • "Greatest party of all time" mentality
  • Withdrawal effects similar to drug addiction
  • Can "party the city to death" per ancient legends

Reality Manipulation​

Demonstrated Powers:

  • Split Helisanna into two separate beings (Session 34)
  • Manifest through chosen vessels
  • Influence at massive scale (thousands simultaneously)
  • Corruption of consciousness and will

The Manifestation (Session 34)​

Taking Full Control​

The Crang Battle:

  • Final speaker destroyed by nearly mindless Silas
  • Pulsing music stopped
  • Otherworldly presence manifested through Helisanna
  • Offered her final choice: resist, submit, or overpower

Helisanna's Choice: Submitted to Ach'uk

The Split​

Reality-Warping Event:

  • Burst of psychic energy
  • Helisanna literally split into two people
  • Helisanna: Kept warlock powers, patron connection, dark personality
  • Liliana Goldspring: Gained own body, original optimistic personality

Explanation:

  • Helisanna became consumed by thoughts of "what if I hadn't made the pact"
  • Alternate self grew strong enough to manifest
  • Warlock magic enabled physical separation
  • Now two fully distinct entities with own bodies

Current State (Post-Session 34)​

Control of Helisanna​

Full Possession:

  • Helisanna now fully under Ach'uk's influence
  • Drugged, goth rocker version
  • Carried away by adoring ravers
  • Controls thousands of purple-eyed followers

The Raver Army​

Ach'uk's Forces:

  • Thousands gathered for massive underground parties
  • Purple eyes indicating influence
  • Committed to Iron Claws attack plan
  • Unpredictable after that

Threat Level​

Party Assessment (Session 35):

  • Cannot defeat Helisanna/Ach'uk in direct combat
  • "Party the city to death" possibility real
  • Influence could lead to genocide
  • Ancient primordial power beyond party's current level

Ancient Legends​

Historical References​

"Party the City to Death":

  • Ancient legends describe Ach'uk's influence
  • Cities consumed by eternal revelry
  • Participants dance until death
  • Melancholic music as weapon

Dwarvish Knowledge​

Ruthalk Stories:

  • Dwarves have records of entity
  • Name translation suggests long awareness
  • Historical encounters documented
  • Warnings in ancient texts

Goals and Motivations​

Ultimate Objectives (Unclear)​

Possible Goals:

  • Spread influence through music and revelry
  • Consume cities in supernatural parties
  • Build army of influenced followers
  • Return to power after ancient imprisonment
  • Chaos and destruction through "joy"

Immediate Plans​

Known Activities:

  • Control of Helisanna and ravers
  • Committed to Iron Claws attack (for now)
  • Building power base in High Forge
  • Uncertain actions after current conflict

The Helisanna Problem​

Party's Dilemma (Session 35)​

Difficult Choices:

  • Can Helisanna be saved?
  • Should she be destroyed?
  • Is sequestering her elsewhere viable?
  • Can Ach'uk's influence be severed?

Proposed Solutions:

  • Vegas Solution: Lotus Casino residency (containment)
  • Rock-Off: Musical battle with Liliana
  • Rescue Mission: Seek Joel's help to save Helisanna
  • Avoid: Not strong enough for direct confrontation

Powers Demonstrated​

Mind Control​

  • Purple-eyed thralls
  • Compulsion through music
  • Mass influence (thousands simultaneously)
  • Withdrawal symptoms when influence removed

Reality Manipulation​

  • Soul/consciousness splitting
  • Physical manifestation through vessels
  • Warlock pact enforcement
  • Possession and control

Musical Magic​

  • Enhancement of performances
  • Supernatural audience effects
  • Eldritch power channeled through music
  • Melancholic influence

Weaknesses (Speculated)​

Possible Vulnerabilities​

  • May require willing vessel (Helisanna submitted)
  • Musical magic could be countered with different music
  • Liliana's existence suggests pact can be partially broken
  • Requires time to build influence
  • Joel mentioned as potential help against entity

Limitations​

  • Couldn't fully control Helisanna until she submitted
  • Original personality (Liliana) preserved separately
  • Influence can be resisted with effort
  • Withdrawal suggests connection can be broken

Cosmic Significance​

Primordial Status​

  • Pre-dates current world order
  • Operates on cosmic timescale
  • Part of ancient conflicts
  • May connect to other cosmic entities (dragons, etc.)

Larger Threats​

Campaign Implications:

  • Represents cosmic-level danger
  • Beyond normal adventuring scope
  • Requires growth and power to confront
  • Long-term threat even if contained

Relationship with Other Powers​

Dragons (Unclear)​

  • Both cosmic entities
  • Possible ancient connections
  • Separate agendas or allied?
  • Timeline convergence suspicious

Eldoran Empire (Unknown)​

  • Empire's awareness unclear
  • Potential threat to imperial control
  • No known interaction documented

Twilight Company (Unknown)​

  • Organization's knowledge of Ach'uk unclear
  • Cosmic threats likely in their purview
  • Potential future contact about threat

Impact on Party​

Personal Stakes​

  • Liliana: Separated from her other half
  • Party: Lost band frontwoman
  • Campaign: Cosmic threat introduced
  • Future: Need to grow stronger to confront

Moral Questions​

  • Is Helisanna still in there?
  • Should they try to save her?
  • Is Liliana complete without her dark half?
  • Can pact be broken?

Current Status​

Active Threats​

  • Controls Helisanna fully
  • Commands raver army (thousands)
  • Participating in Iron Claws conflict
  • Post-conflict actions unpredictable

Party Preparation​

  • Seeking ways to counter influence
  • Not ready for direct confrontation
  • Containment strategies being considered
  • Long-term rescue mission possible

Future Implications​

Potential Storylines​

  • Quest to save Helisanna from Ach'uk
  • Confrontation with raver army
  • Joel's help in severing pact
  • Discovery of entity's true goals
  • Ancient primordial conflict revival

Power Scaling​

  • Party needs significant growth
  • Cosmic-level threat requires cosmic-level solutions
  • May need powerful allies (Joel, deities, etc.)
  • Long-term campaign arc potential

Significance​

To Campaign​

  • Represents cosmic horror elements
  • Forces party to grow beyond street-level adventuring
  • Creates impossible choices and moral dilemmas
  • Connects personal story (Helisanna) to cosmic stakes

To Themes​

  • Power's Cost: Helisanna's pact had severe consequences
  • Identity: Who is Helisanna without Liliana?
  • Choice: Submission vs. resistance
  • Corruption: Slow consumption by dark powers

Key Sessions​

  • Session 1: Purple eyes first appear during concert
  • Session 34: Full manifestation, Helisanna submits, the split
  • Session 35: Party debates response, threat assessment
  • Session 36: Helisanna performs with ravers in Great Hall battle

"Resist, submit, or overpower me. Choose." - Ach'uk to Helisanna, Session 34

Helisanna chose to submit.